9 fears everyone should get over before turning 30

Your 30s are an ideal time to
form healthy habits, invest in your relationships, and
develop your career.

You don't want to enter this critical decade consumed by personal
and professional fears. Before you hit the big 3-0, it's worth
taking some time to evaluate what exactly you're worried about
and why.

To help you start reflecting, we've rounded up some of the most
common fears that can hold you back from success — plus simple
strategies for overcoming them for good.

1. Fear of being called a fake at work

More than seven in 10 people say they've experienced what's
called "impostor
syndrome," or the feeling that no matter how much you
achieve, you're a fake and that everyone else is smarter and more
competent than you are.

If nagging self-doubt is a problem for you, try
keeping a journal of your successes and failures so that
you're more objective about your performance. And when you
receive positive feedback, resist the urge to automatically deny
it.

Perhaps most importantly, know that people who have confidence in
their abilities may
come across as smarter to others.

2. Fear of rejection

Being afraid of getting the door slammed in your face — whether
you're applying for a job or asking someone on a date — is
perfectly normal. But you shouldn't let that fear stop you from
taking risks.

The first step to managing the fear of rejection is to have a Plan B.
In other words, don't apply to just one company; apply to several
so that a potential rejection won't seem life-shattering.

Also remember that a rejection generally
isn't a reflection on who you are as a person. Maybe the
object of your affection just got out of a relationship; maybe
your interviewer doesn't think you'd be a good fit at the
organization. It doesn't mean you're fundamentally flawed.

3. Fear of success

Some worry the more they achieve, the more they'll have to lose.
Others subconsciously feel they don't deserve their success.

Try to discern the origins of your fear. For example, maybe a
friend or family member told you that you weren't talented. Then
challenge those messages by thinking rationally about all you've
achieved so far.

4. Fear of your boss

It can be hard to believe that your manager is just another human
being. Instead, he or she may seem like the most intimidating
creature ever to walk the planet.

To help assuage that fear,
one CEO says it's important to remember that your worth as an
individual isn't wholly dependent on your job. Your boss' bad
attitude or negative evaluation of you doesn't mean you don't
have value.

Also remind yourself that you deserve to be treated with respect.
If your boss shouts or otherwise
acts uncivilly, explain that you're happy to have a
conversation but expect it to be dignified.

You
have JOMO — the joy of missing out — when you enjoy curling up
with a book more than going out with friends.p.v/Flickr

5. Fear of missing out

Social media may give you FOMO —
anxiety that a more interesting event is going on elsewhere — but
once you hit 30, it's time to get over it.

If you realize you're spending too much time browsing Facebook
photos of your friends' night out and feeling bad you weren't
invited, you may need an intervention. One
simple strategy is to
take a break from social media so you aren't constantly
bombarded with other people's updates.

You can also reframe your reaction to those updates as JOMO, or the joy
of missing out. For example, blogger Anil Dash (who coined the
term) writes about how satisfying it is to stay at home and give
his baby a bath instead of going out.

6. Fear of being wrong

In her TED
talk, journalist Kathryn Schulz explains that from an early
age we're taught to believe "people who get stuff wrong are lazy,
irresponsible dimwits" and "the way to succeed in life is to
never make any mistakes."

Yet Schulz says the capacity to screw things up is fundamental to
who we are. Ultimately, all innovation and creativity stems from
realizing that we were wrong and reframing our view of the world.

So instead of worrying your idea for a new product will be a
total flop, remember that if you're wrong, the experience will be
an opportunity to learn more about what people want and to get
better at your job.

7. Fear of upsetting others

It's one thing to be agreeable — it's another to think you have
to tolerate criticism or else your friend or partner will leave
you.

In fact, relationship expert Michelle Skeen
told The Huffington Post that people may take advantage of
you because "you are accommodating and compliant as a way to
prevent the other person from getting angry."

One Quora user has a solid suggestion for getting over this
fear: Remember that having a different perspective doesn't mean
you're going to upset someone. It can be interesting to share
alternate viewpoints.

8. Fear of criticism

In the workplace, most of us know that criticism can help improve
our performance, but we're still wary of receiving it. In a way,
it might feel like we've failed.

Yet as Deb Bright, Ed.D., writes
in Fast Company, those receiving criticism should realize
they're in control of the conversation.

In other words, you decide how to react and what to do with the
information: Will you storm off fuming or take the necessary
steps to correct your behavior? If you choose the latter, you
have the chance to learn and grow, not to mention avoid an
argument.

9. Fear of being judged

There are some parts of being a teenager that linger long after
high school — like the fear everyone will laugh at you and your
brand-new outfit.

But as your mom has likely told you,
most people are too preoccupied with their own worries to
notice yours. And even if someone is judging you, it's entirely
your decision to let their opinion affect you.